Joanna Prior, managing director of Penguin General Books, said of the results: "2015 was notable for being the first year in a long time in which the UK book trade experienced an increase in physical book sales.

"However, it was also the year in which digital sales growth finally went into reverse, following the slow-down in 2014.

"Both the increase and decrease are too small, however, for us to make any claims for big shifts in consumer behaviour or make predictions for what lies ahead.

"But I do think that any suggestion that the physical book is doomed can now definitively be refuted as we trade less neurotically in a more stable, multi-format world."

Anna Bond, UK sales director for Pan Macmillan, said: "2015 was the year when the physical book fought back. "It was also the year when the joy of the beautiful physical book, not just to be coloured in, came to the fore.

"Some of the production values on trade titles were stunning, with special editions and backlist reinventions gaining more shelf space on our high streets."

Mr Lotinga added: "It should be seen as indicative of an industry that is confident in its future bridging multiple formats and audiences."

Top UK sales of printed books in 2015

Grey: Fifty Shades of Grey as Told by Christian, EL James - 1,075,206

Grandpa’s Great Escape, David Walliams - 532,513

The Girl on the Train, Paula Hawkins - 477,887

Millie Marotta’s Animal Kingdom, Millie Marotta - 409,858

Mog’s Christmas Calamity, Judith Kerr - 382,014

Elizabeth Is Missing, Emma Healey - 368,786

Go Set a Watchman, Harper Lee - 342,146

The Miniaturist, Jessie Burton - 320,648

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School, Jeff Kinney - 313,640

Guinness World Records 2016, Guinness World Records - 309,900

Source: The Publishers Association

Overall, the report found sales in the UK publishing industry sales were up to £4.4bn in 2015, a small rise from £4.3bn in 2014.

It is the first time in four years that the UK book trade has experienced an increase in physical book sales.

It is also the first time in seven years that digital sales have dropped, despite educational and academic texts becoming increasingly popular online.